New York Times bestselling author Sophie Jordan kicks off her amazing new high concept series, The Scandalous Ladies of London, which chronicles the lives of a group of affluent ladies reigning over glittering, Regency-era London, vying for position in the hierarchy of the ton. They are the young wives, widows, and daughters of London’s wealthiest families. The drama is big, the money runs deep, and the shade is real. Life is different in the ton.
“My husband is a good man… just ask all the women he has bedded.”
Wealthy society maven Lady Gertrude knows how the world works. If her husband is less than faithful, it’s an acceptable price to pay for her coveted position at the apex of London’s most fashionable set. No exclusive soirée or lavish ball is complete without her and her group of decadent, well-connected friends. And this Season promises more excitement than usual: Tru is launching her daughter into Society, helping her navigate the cutthroat Marriage Mart, complete with fortune hunters, jealous debutantes, and malicious gossips.
As skilled as Tru is at playing the high-stakes games of the ton, she never expects to meet her match—until Jasper Thorne begins to court her daughter. Jasper needs a titled bride, but when he meets Tru, all his carefully laid plans go up in smoke. The attraction between Tru and Jasper is undeniable…and unacceptable. To indulge in an affair with her daughter’s suitor would be ruinous. If it becomes public, she’ll never survive the scandal. Especially as it becomes clear that he wants more than one night…he wants the impossible. He wants forever.
A sizzling story of scandalous ladies, irresistible temptation, and the dangers—and joys—of being true to yourself.
Buy Links
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Books-A-Million | Bookshop.org
Disclaimer: I received an advanced reader's copy from AVON Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, via NetGalley. The following thoughts and opinions are entirely my own. Spoilers below. Read at your own risk.
Well, that was interesting. The first book in the Scandalous Ladies of London series gives readers a sneak peek into a new cast of characters with a spin on traditional Regency romance novels. Lady Gertrude married young and as a naive debutante, thought she made a great match by marrying a handsome Earl. Unfortunately, he tried out to be a horse's arse. Unfaithful, misogynistic, and hypocritical, the Earl turned out to the be worst. At least he had a tiny kernel of decency left to live separately from Tru and their two children, rather than being underfoot and making everyone miserable. When their daughter makes her formal debut and becomes the highlight of the Season, Tru aims to help her daughter navigate the perilous waters of the Marriage Mart and hopefully make a good match. Sadly, things go a little awry when the Earl smells an opportunity to sell off his daughter to the highest bidder with the biggest purse (to fuel his extravagant expenditures) and he has the "perfect" husband candidate picked out. Unbeknownst to the Earl, Jasper Thorne is already interested in Tru! After a chance meeting with Tru, Jasper wants to know her on a more personal level. *wink wink* The older female lead paired with a younger male lead is a welcome surprise. Tru married young, had two children, and her needs/wants neglected while her husband slept around. It's about time she got some romance. Of course, there is the tiny issue of Jasper becoming her daughters intended. Overall, I thought the story was well-paced and had an interesting perspective. Rather than the fresh-faced debutante, it's the marriage-minded mama who gets the suitor's attention.
4 stars
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Photo Credit: Courtney Park Portraits
Sophie Jordan grew up in the Texas hill country where she wove fantasies of dragons, warriors, and princesses. A former high school English teacher, she’s the New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author of more than fifty novels. She now lives in Houston with her family. When she’s not writing, she spends her time overloading on caffeine (lattes preferred), talking plotlines with anyone who will listen (including her kids), and cramming her DVR with anything that has a happily ever after. You can visit her online at www.sophiejordan.net.
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